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The upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections are shaping up to be a complex political battle, with the question of who will lead the two main alliances, Mahayuti and MVA, hanging in the air. The BJP, a key component of the ruling Mahayuti, is currently holding the reins of power with Eknath Shinde at the helm. However, the party's national leadership has yet to formally declare their CM candidate for the upcoming polls. The suspense surrounding the Mahayuti's CM face prompted BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to challenge Sharad Pawar, the influential leader of the opposition MVA, to reveal their own CM candidate. Fadnavis, who himself served as the Chief Minister for five years, made a subtle statement by noting that the current CM, Eknath Shinde, was present during the press conference, avoiding a direct answer about the CM face. This move highlights the intricate dynamics within the ruling alliance, with Shinde's position as CM seemingly secure while the BJP strategizes its next move. The question of the Mahayuti's CM face is further complicated by the presence of Ajit Pawar, the third partner in the ruling coalition and the Deputy Chief Minister. Although some NCP leaders have advocated for Ajit Pawar to take the top post, the BJP and Shiv Sena's dominance within the alliance suggests that he may be relegated to his current position.
The MVA's predicament regarding the CM face is equally, if not more, challenging. While the Shiv Sena (UBT) has been vocal in their desire to have Uddhav Thackeray, their leader who led the MVA government for two years, as the opposition's CM candidate, the Congress and NCP (SP) are hesitant to commit to a specific candidate before the election results are out. Uddhav Thackeray has urged his allies to publicly declare their CM face ahead of the polls, claiming he would support any candidate they choose. This suggests a strategic maneuver by Uddhav to secure the position of the CM candidate for the MVA, potentially giving the alliance a greater chance at victory. The Congress, however, may be wary of supporting Uddhav Thackeray's candidature given their desire to solidify their own position within the alliance and their recent electoral setbacks in Haryana. The Congress's performance in the Lok Sabha elections, where they secured a significant number of seats, might offer them some bargaining power in the upcoming assembly elections. However, their loss in Haryana may dampen their aspirations and weaken their position during negotiations.
The upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections are shaping up to be a highly anticipated event. The CM face issue adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political landscape. Both the Mahayuti and MVA are grappling with internal disagreements and strategic calculations. While the BJP seems to favor Shinde as the CM candidate, the MVA is embroiled in a delicate dance between Uddhav Thackeray's ambitions and the Congress and NCP (SP)'s cautious approach. The suspense surrounding the CM faces is likely to continue until the results of the elections are announced, leaving the political arena in Maharashtra in a state of uncertainty.
Source: Suspense over 'CM face' in Mahayuti and MVA as Maharashtra gears up for battle of ballots